Another blow to the boxing body

OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

New Delhi: In a shocking development, International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA), on Wednesday, denied approving the amended constitution of the suspended Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) and threatened to extend the ban “as long as necessary”.

Two days ago, IABF secretary Rajesh Bhandari announced that AIBA had approved and accepted its draft constitution. Bhandari even convened a special general meeting on March 10 in Chandigarh to discuss the issue.

On Wednesday, in a letter to International Olympic Committee member Randhir Singh, AIBA president Ching Kuo Wu said: “To be clear, the IABF constitution has not been approved by AIBA whatsoever.

“The IABF constitution, which was completely revised by the AIBA legal department, was only so far sent to the AIBA EC member from India, Kishen Narsi, on February 11, 2013. The constitution is still a work in progress and is subject to further consultation between AIBA and the relevant parties in India,” the letter said.

“In addition, it seems that a special general annual meeting has been convened by the non-recognised elected IABF secretary general in a place outside New Delhi and apparently without invitations sent to all stakeholders, this to discuss and approve the constitution.

“Should IABF persist in illegal actions, AIBA will have no choice but to extend the suspension imposed on IABF as long as necessary.”

IABF was suspended by both AIBA and sports ministry in December for “possible manipulations” in its elections on September 23. The elections turned out to be a farce as the outgoing president Abhay Chautala not only created a post of chairman for himself but also installed his brother-in-law as the new president.

“Pity, Indian boxing in such a poor shape now,” said Bengal boxing association president Asit Banerjee.